According to BBC News on October 9, a ocean park in Ontario, Canada, could be forced to euthanize 30 whales due to financial difficulties.
In fact, the park was not without the animals to find a way out, they had hoped to transport the white whales to a theme park in China's Pearl Harbor, but was rejected by the government, and the reason is very striking: fears these animals are being "abused" in China ...
Founded in 1961, this ocean park in Canada covers an area of more than 1000 acres (about 400 hectares) and was once one of the most popular attractions in the area.
However, in recent years, the breeding conditions of the park have also been widely criticized. At one time, 12 whales died in two years, and investigators declared that all marine life in the park was in danger.
Oceanland in Niagara Falls, Ontario
Since then, the number of visitors to the park has plummeted, and many people think that the bankruptcy of the park is imminent. Jim Diodati, the mayor of Niagara Falls, where the park is located, once described, "They are even burning furniture for heating, and they really have no money."
The park has repeatedly stated that it is no longer able to continue taking care of the animals and must find a new home for them. They applied for permission from the Canadian federal government to sell beluga whales to a theme park in Zhuhai, China.
This is a good place for animals, but Joanne Thompson, Minister of Fisheries of Canada, refused the application on the grounds that Canadian laws and regulations prohibit the use of whales and dolphins for recreational activities, but Chinese parks will use whales as "public entertainment" and the breeding conditions are poor.
She also said, “I can’t approve an export plan on my conscience because it will continue the abuse these white whales suffer” and “approving this request means they will continue to be imprisoned and re-faced as a public entertainment tool.”
The ignorance and prejudice of Canadian politicians blocked the road of beluga whales to China, which made the park quite dissatisfied.
Just earlier this month, the park sent a letter to the federal government saying that the fate of animals "will directly depend on the decision of the minister". The park said that these whales may have to be euthanized, and asked the federal government to provide funds to continue to care for these animals.
Phil Demers, who has served as a senior trainer for the park for 12 years, said that hardly any agency can receive all 30 whales at once except China.
He believes that the best solution is to get the whales out of the park as soon as possible.
Without China, he feels that the most likely way out is for multiple U.S. agencies to receive these whales separately.
“These animals must leave the waters there immediately,” Demers said.
On the other hand, Park’s idea of euthanasia has also sparked a lot of opposition.
Animal welfare activists have expressed outrage at the actions of the ocean park and the possibility that whales could be killed.
Camille Rabuchuk, executive director of Canadian animal rights organization Animal Justice, said Ocean Park “has a moral obligation to fund the future care of these animals,” adding that threats to euthanize these animals “should be condemned.”
The World Animal Conservation Association called on provincial governments to accept the white whales and said that “leadership must be shown to ensure that these animals get the best care.”
Some also believe that the park threatens euthanasia, but is a means of pressure.
White Whales in Ocean ParkCBS
However, there is not much time left for the whales.
"Giving these animals the high quality of life they deserve is not something that one person or one organization can accomplish." said Charles Vinick, a person with an animal protection organization.